Dietary fat supplementation from different sources during the grow-out period and the different stunning tech-niques during processing may influence broiler breast meat quality and myopathy-related traits. This study evaluated the effects of dietary fat source, including soy oil (SO), poultry fat (PF), soapstock (SS), and palm oil (PO), and stunning method, electrical stunning (ES) versus controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS), on breast meat quality and myopathies. A total of 1,152 Ross Yield Plus Male 708 chicks were fed treatment diets differing only in fat source for 42 d. Meat quality traits, including pH, color, drip loss, and texture, were assessed 2 h postchilling in 104 breast fillets, with 13 fillets per treatment. Myopathy scores for woody breast (WB) and white striping (WS) (0 – 3), and spaghetti meat (SP) (0–2), were evaluated after deboning and 24 h postmortem in 576 breast fillets, with 12 fillets per pen. At 24 h postmortem, CAS samples had higher pH (5.80 ± 0.02) than ES samples (5.75 ± 0.02; P = 0.007). Similarly, the PO group had the highest 24 h postmortem pH (5.80 ± 0.03), compared with the SO group (5.72 ± 0.02). No treatment effects were observed for lightness (L* ), drip loss (2.2–2.7%), or shear energy (70.7–74.3 N·mm). Color analysis showed that the SO group (a* = 3.23) and ES group (a* = 2.78) had greater a* values than the other treatment groups (P < 0.001). The SO group had 3.19 times higher odds of mild WS than the PF group (P = 0.010). However, fat sources had no significant effect on WB or SP scores. In conclusion, dietary fat sources and stunning methods influenced selected meat quality attributes, particularly ultimate pH, yellowness and redness, but did not alter the incidence or severity of WB or SP.

The likelihood of creating an in vitro produced foal is much lower in horses than in other species because of inefficient in vitro embryo production. Inability to superstimulate ovaries is a major factor that could be addressed by choosing a right compound; clomiphene citrate (CC), a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is a potential agent. Therefore, 2 experiments were performed; mares received 2,000 mg of intravenous CC, every 24 hours for 5 days to assess the effects on reproductive hormone concentrations, uterine and ovarian responses, and oocyte parameters. In Experiment 1, 6 mares received CC and were monitored for plasma CC concentrations, serum reproductive hormone concentrations, and ovarian responses. Transvaginal oocyte aspirations were performed and in vitro embryo production parameters were collected. In Experiment 2, 6 mares received CC; reproductive hormone concentrations and ovarian responses were compared to control group (n = 6). Concentrations of CC had positive correlations with antral follicle count and uterine edema (r = 0.60, p = 0.0004 and r = 0.47, p = 0.009, respectively), and a moderate negative correlation with follicle-stimulating hormone (r = – 0.48, p = 0.001). Compared to controls, there were no differences in reproductive hormone concentrations, ovarian responses, or oocytes recovered in mares receiving CC; average blastocyst rate of matured oocytes was 47.5% in treated mares.

This study evaluated the effects of organic acids (OA), Campylobacter jejuni (CJ) inoculation, and their combination on cecal CJ colonization, intestinal morphology, cecal microbiota, and broiler performance. A 4×2 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design was used, with pen location as the blocking factor. A total of 2240 Ross 708 males were allocated into 64 pens (8 replicates/treatment; 35 birds/pen). Pens received one of four water treatments: control (water), intermittent OA-A (2 mL/L; days 0–5, then 1 day/week), continuous OA-A (2 mL/L), or continuous OA-B (2.6 mL/L), where OA-A and OA-B are citric acid-based water acidifiers. Birds were gavaged on day 21 with either phosphate buffered saline or CJ (104 CFU/mL). CJ enumeration was conducted on days 23, 28, 35, and 42. Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum samples were collected on day 42 for villus height, crypt depth, and villus-to-crypt ratio (V:C). Cecal contents were collected for microbiota analysis, and body weights and feed intake were recorded on days 0, 13, 27, and 41. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (GLIMMIX, SAS v9.4) and cecal microbiota data in R. OA supplementation did not reduce cecal CJ colonization (P > 0.05). No interaction effects were found for intestinal morphology, but CJ-inoculated birds had deeper jejunal crypts (P = 0.0018) and reduced ileal villus height and V:C (P = 0.0134 and 0.0003). CJ altered microbiota alpha- and beta-diversity, but no interaction effects were observed. Broilers receiving citric acid-based OA-A had higher body weights than control and OA-B birds on day 41 (P = 0.0029). In conclusion, OA did not reduce CJ colonization or improve gut morphology but improved final body weight.

Multiple processes have been developed to reduce the negative effects of raw poultry litter application in soils by altering the physical and chemical nature into a more suitable plant nutrient product. This investigation focused on a novel aerobic digestion process using a proprietary method from Cleaned & Green (C&G) to extend the nutrient release time of fertilizer while eliminating potential pathogens. Physical and chemical characteristics were assessed on C&G fertilizer by conducting plant assays and physical testing. Petunias were grown to evaluate plant growth responses. Substrate pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were evaluated, and plant growth index, dry weight, and foliar analysis were recorded. Increasing application rates resulted in increased EC concentrations and less plant growth 2 weeks after planting. C&G replicates grown at Auburn, AL, had EC values 2 weeks after planting of 0.33, 1.43, 3.18, and 5.20 mS·cm −1 for 0, 0.44, 0.89, and 1.78 kg·m −3 N, respectively. Plants in Mobile, AL, behaved in a similar manner. Growth indices indicated that the control had the smallest size, while plants given C&G and a blended fertilizer (nutrient-even combination of C&G and a synthetic fertilizer) at 0.44 kg·m −3 N were the largest. Initial results suggest that the C&G fertilizer may be used similarly to a rapid-release synthetic fertilizer without the potential environmental burdens imposed by raw poultry litter applications.

Conventional breeding of ideotypes for target environments is quite challenging because of the genotype by environment interaction and the nature of the genetic complexity for economic traits. Simulation of the adaptive capacity of existing and new germplasms using crop model and genetic information can efficiently assist in determining the potential of well-adapted genotypes for target environments. This study aimed to design a marker-based model by detecting associated markers for target traits associated with model input parameters and incorporating the genetic effects into the CERES-Maize model. To achieve this goal, a two-year trial with 282 maize genotypes across five locations in Northern China was conducted for phenotypic and genotypic data collection. The marker effects on target traits were integrated with crop model to develop a marker-based model. The performance of the integrated model was tested using four independent sub-datasets, (i) observed genotypes grown in observed environments; (ii) observed genotypes phenotyped in new environments; (iii) new genotypes in characterized environments; and (iv) new genotypes in new environments. The model simulated the anthesis date, kernel number, kernel weight and yield reasonably well across 282 genotypes. The marker-based prediction performance of simpler morphological traits, such anthesis date and kernel number were generally improved compared to highly complex quantitative traits, such as kernel weight and yield. The performance of the model was affected by new genotypes or new environments depending on the types of traits being simulated. Maker- based simulation of maize yield and its component traits across five locations and 37 years in Northern China was used as a case study to demonstrate the model applications for studying genotype-environment interactions. The biplot revealed the top yielding genotypes and most ideal environment by comparing yield performance and stability of 282 genotypes in five phenotyping sites under both water-limited and well-water conditions. Breeding programs could further exploit marker-based modelling to predict adaptation in diverse environmental and management conditions for new genotypes before they are globally distributed for multilocation yield testing.

The prediction of floral bud progression in commercial peach cultivars promotes knowledge about the adaptability of cultivars to the climatic conditions in a specific location under a climatic variability context. Phenology is relevant to improving the scheduling of cultural practices in peach orchards. This research aimed to predict the floral bud progression of three peach cultivars: ‘Harvester’, ‘Red Globe’, and ‘Rubyprince’. Floral bud progression was assessed using one-year-old shoots collected from an orchard located at the Chilton Research and Extension Center, Alabama. Samples were evaluated under laboratory and growth chamber conditions. We recorded the flower developmental stages daily to identify the transition among stages. Daily temperature records were used to estimate the heat requirement in terms of Growing Degree Days (GDD). After dormancy release, samples needed between 23 to 39 and 37 to 42 days to reach the petal fall stage for season 1 and season 2, respectively. In terms of heat requirements, cultivars needed between 425.5 to 721.5 and 684.5 to 777 GDD to end flowering. A logistic curve was adjusted to describe the growth of the different floral stages over time. The results are key to supporting peach growers in crop management practices such as orchard establishment, irrigation, fertilization, freeze and frost protection, and pollination under climate variability scenarios.

Controlling Campylobacter jejuni during broiler production is a topic of interest from a public health standpoint, as colonized birds can contaminate poultry products during processing and sicken humans if not properly cooked or handled before consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary yeast cell wall (YCW) as a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters with or without a C. jejuni challenge. A total of 2240 day-old Ross 708 males were randomly assigned within 8 experimental groups with a 4 x 2 factorial design, with 4 diets (negative control [CTL-], positive control [CTL+, bacitracin, 50 g/ ton], YCW constant dose [400 g/ton], and YCW step-down dose [SD, 800, 400, and 200 g/ton in the starter, grower, and finisher periods, respectively]) and with or without a Day-16 C. jejuni oral gavage challenge at a 10(3)-colony-forming-units (CFU)/ml dose. Body weights and feed consumption were measured on Days 0, 14, 28, and 41 to determine broiler performance. Ileum tissue samples were collected from 24 birds per treatment on Days 17 and 24 (1 and 8 days postinoculation [PI]) for relative gene expression (RGE) analysis. Cecal content samples were collected from 24 birds per treatment on Days 24, 34, and 42 for C. jejuni enumeration and prevalence calculation. A total of 80 birds per treatment were processed to determine carcass yield on Day 44, and on Day 45, 16 carcass rinsates per treatment were collected for C. jejuni enumeration and prevalence calculation. The interaction between diet and inoculation did not influence growth performance (P > 0.05). However, a diet effect was observed in the starter period where birds fed SD diet had a lower feed conversion ratio than birds fed CTL- diet (P = 0.0165). Additionally, the treatment of birds inoculated with C. jejuni fed with SD had a trend to a lower feed conversion ratio during the grower period (P = 0.0550). The RGE of interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 10 was similar in all treatments 1 and 8 days PI. The RGE of avian beta defensin 10 was similar in all treatments on Day 1 PI, but different on Day 8 PI (P = 0.0476). All birds inoculated with C. jejuni had similar CFU per milliliter counts in the cecal contents at Days 24, 34, and 42 (P > 0.05), and all birds inoculated with phosphate-buffered saline were negative for C. jejuni after prevalence testing. After processing 1) carcass yield was similar in all treatments (P > 0.05); 2) C. jejuni-inoculated birds fed CTL- had lower CFU per milliliter counts than birds provided CTL+ and constant-dose diets (P = 0.0383); and 3) all birds inoculated with PBS were negative for Campylobacter. Overall, under the conditions of this study, the addition of YCW during a C. jejuni challenge did not have an impact on growth performance, innate immune response, cecal colonization, carcass yield, or carcass colonization after processing.

A successful hatch has a considerable economic impact on all poultry companies. The aim of the current study was to describe the possible effects of shell translucency (T score) and coloration lightness (L* value) on shell thickness, hatchability, and chick weight. A total of 4,320 eggs from 4 commercial Ross 708 breeder flocks (50-55-wk old) were used. Eggs were selected for T score and L* value. A 3-point subjective scoring system was used for T score (1 = low, 2 = medium, 3 = high), and an electronic colorimeter for L* value, sorting the eggs as light (avg. L* = 80.7) or dark (avg. L* = 76.0). Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (V9.4) and Tukey's HSD test was performed to separate means, a significant difference was considered when P & LE; 0.05. Results suggest that the color of the eggshell was related to the egg weight on the day of collection (P = 0.0056) and at transfer (P = 0.0211), in both cases dark eggs were 0.6 g heavier than light eggs. Dark eggs had a 3.8% increased hatchability of egg set (P = 0.0481) and yielded 6 mm thicker shells (P = 0.0019) when compared to light eggs. Regarding translucency, egg weight at transfer was 0.8 g heavier for T score 1 eggs compared to T score 3 (P = 0.0358). The translucency score of 1 had a 6.9% higher hatchability of eggs set (P = 0.0127) and 0.7 g heavier chick weight (P = 0.0385) compared to T score 3. However, T score 1 eggs had shells 28 mm thinner than the T score 2 and 34 mm thinner than T score 3 (P < 0.0001). An interaction effect was observed for eggshell thickness, L* value, and T score, where eggs classified as light with T score 1 had thinner eggshells compared to those that were dark with T score 3 (P = 0.0292). These results suggest that eggshell translucency and coloration lightness can be good noninvasive indicators of eggshell thickness, hatchability, and chick weight in broiler breeder flocks.

The pea aphid (PA), Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), can cause significant damage to dry and green peas, Pisum sativum L. (Fabaceae). Identifying pea lines with resistance to PA is important to advance available control measures. This research identified lines and putative genes with resistance to PA in the USDA Pisum sativum Collection located in Pullman, WA, USA, consisting of 301 lines collected worldwide. Eight commercial pea cultivars were also evaluated. A cluster analysis based on the mean number of adults, nymphs, and total aphids that developed on lines 10 days after the start of infestation by a single adult aphid per plant identified six clusters. Cluster 2, consisting of 48 lines, had the lowest aphid fecundity of all clusters with 2.1 adults, 7.3 nymphs, and 9.4 total aphids produced on average. ‘Lifter’ was the most resistant line based on low aphid fecundity. Lifter is a white‐flowered green dry pea cultivar that can advance PA resistance in food‐type peas. Genotyping by sequencing based on single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used in genome‐wide association mapping to locate genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) linked to PA resistance in which three, nine, and six SNPs were associated with resistance to adult, nymph, and total number of PAs that developed on lines, respectively. Seventeen candidate genes were identified in response to PA resistance. The results can effectively be used in breeding programs to target specific genomic regions with PA resistance and in traditional breeding using resistant lines as parents.

Recently, there has been increased interest in container blueberry production as a viable alternative to open-field blueberry planting. Container production of blueberries offers numerous advantages, among these, a lack of limitation by suboptimal soil conditions in the open field and the ability to control substrate pH, drainage, and organic matter. The photosynthetic response for three container-grown Southern highbush blueberry (interspecific Vaccinium hybrids) cultivars including ‘Jewel’, ‘Meadowlark’, and ‘Victoria’ and a rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum) ‘Baldwin’, were measured during the spring and summer of 2022. It was hypothesized that the three cultivars evaluated would have different photosynthetic responses. The objective of this study was to determine the photosynthetic activity of different blueberry cultivars during the first year of crop establishment. A series of measurements were conducted every 2 h throughout the day and for different dates using a gas exchange data analyzer on newly matured fully expanded leaves located in the top middle section of the canopy for each cultivar. The response curves showed that net photosynthesis (A) became saturated at moderate light, with saturation occurring at a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 1932 µmol m−2 s−1. At this point, the rate of CO2 assimilation was approximately 16.84 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1. No differences in (A) were found among cultivars. Overall, the attained values of photosynthesis provide a strong conceptual basis for understanding the cultivar variation response when grown in containers; therefore, the containerized system may serve as a production system for early fruiting blueberries in Alabama, USA.